Today is World Dance Day, so of course I had to take the opportunity to celebrate some of my favourite costumes for Style File Friday. Costumes in ballet can vary widely in terms of personal taste. While most people love the classical, platter tutu, I prefer the longer, Romantic style, for example. However, everyone has those costumes that just stand out. So, in honour of World Dance Day 2022, here my favourite costumes.
Alice in Alice’s in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland premiered in February 2011 at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and was immediately popular. And for good reason, quite frankly. It works for all ages, it is a feast for the eyes, and it has several nods to classical ballets. (The Queen of Hearts’ faux-rose adagio is hilarious and one of the best Sleeping Beauty adaptations I’ve seen.)
Alice’s romantic style purple dress is one of the best costumes I’ve seen in recent years. The colour is light enough to denote youth, but also doesn’t necessarily feel like a child is dancing (like Clara in the early scenes of Nutcracker). It also is gorgeous on the stage, and on film, and it’s already become an iconic image of twenty-first century ballet!
Interested in watching Alice? You can watch it on Marquee TV!
The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude
The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude is a shorter pas de cinq (dance of five), but I’ve always loved it. While I gravitate towards story ballets, I could not take my eyes off of the stage with Exactitude. The structural, chartreuse tutus are some of the most unique costumes I’ve seen in a while, and I think that Stephen Galloway’s costume design is inspired here.
Marguerite in Marguerite and Armand
Another Romantic look for me! Marguerite and Armand was created on Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, and tells a story of two doomed lovers. Marguerite is dying of consumption (aka tuberculosis) and is remembering her days as a courtesan. Her striking red dress is one of my favourite costumes on the stage, and always looks simple but stunning.
In honour of World Dance Day 2022, I would love to know your favourite ballet costumes!
Cheers,
The Historian
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